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The Big Surprise: The authors expected to discover new insights related to the dissertation, exams, and new directions for the disciplines. What they did not expect: –The importance of intellectual community –The extent to which students would contribute to, shape, and enrich that community

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What is Intellectual Community? rich exchange of ideas and perspectives that characterized scholarly life knowledge-centered but relationship-based creating environments in which faculty and students flourish

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Intellectual Community Influences How people wrestle with ideas How teaching is valued How students engage with senior colleagues How failure is treated How the department and its members stay connected to the field

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Challenges Intellectual community is intangible and hard to measure. Overlooked as an important part of our work.

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Intellectual Community : A Strength at Baylor Click directly on Video to play

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The Key Question: “What qualities make intellectual communities more vibrant?” –They have a shared purpose –They are diverse and multigenerational –They are flexible and forgiving –They are respectful and generous

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The Key Question (contd.): –They engage students fully in the life of the department –They collaborate on the curriculum –They share research across boundaries –They open classroom doors –They set time aside for reflection –They create physical spaces for community –They encourage social events

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Implications for GPDs and other Department Leaders Intellectual community is often a deciding factor in a student’s choice of one program over another (recruitment) Good beginnings are essential Crucial transition: from “learning about” to “learning to be” (socialization)